What must nurses do if they encounter a situation involving potential client harm?

When nurses encounter a situation involving potential client harm, their primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of the client. This means that they must report the situation and take appropriate actions to protect the client. This approach aligns with the ethical and professional standards outlined by regulatory bodies such as the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Nurses are obligated to act when they identify risks or harm, as doing so demonstrates their commitment to client safety, advocacy, and care.

Taking appropriate actions may include intervening directly if it is within their scope of practice, alerting a supervisor or other healthcare professionals, or following established protocols to manage the situation effectively. Operating under the premise of patient safety, nurses are expected to act proactively rather than waiting for more severe consequences to arise.

While documenting the incident can be beneficial, especially for future reference or accountability, it is not sufficient action on its own without taking steps to address the harm. Seeking advice from a colleague is also a good practice in many situations, but the priority must be the immediate protection of the client, which requires prompt action rather than deferral. Ignoring the situation can lead to severe consequences for the client and is contrary to the ethical obligations of a nurse.